Gentle Path Counsellors

Judith Urquhart - MSW, RSW (Executive Director)

Judy is the Executive Director of Gentle Path Counselling Services, a non- profit agency, which she founded in 1998. She holds a Masters of Social Work Degree from Dalhousie University and has 24 years of Counselling experience. For seven years, she worked as a Probation and Parole Officer with the Province of New Brunswick and co-facilitated the Community Sex Offender Treatment Program for adult male offenders convicted of domestic violence or sexual assault.

While employed with Family Services as a Counsellor, Judy developed numerous Educational Programs including Recapturing a Lost Childhood; The Gentle Path to the Twelve Steps; Parent Works; Women, Anger & Depression; Your Perfect Right; Women and Self-Esteem and Men, Anger and Self-Esteem. Similar programs are offered at Gentle Path as well as Support Group Programs - Rebuild and Move On; CoDA and Women of Worth - all of which were designed by Judy.

Judy is registered with the Hague Convention to prepare Inter-Country Adoptions; she has completed one hundred or more Home Studies as well as many Home Studies requested by Family Court for custody/access disputes. Currently, Gentle Path Counselling Services administers the International Adoption Program for the Province of New Brunswick, and Judy supervises several social workers throughout the Province who complete Home Study Assessments for adopting couples. Judy also does International Adoption training for couples adopting internationally and trains other social workers in this field.

She is a Supervisor of Field Placement opportunities for Nursing and Social Work students and a Board Member of the John Howard Society and Sophia Recovery Centre for Women. A book she wrote about Anger Management for Women - Cage Your Rage - was published and is available for sale through Gentle Path or the American Correctional Association. Currently, she is completing a Certificate in Mediation through the University of Prince Edward Island.

Robert (Bob) Doiron - RSW

Bob is a part-time counsellor at Gentle Path and works primarily with men or youth in the area of anger management, family violence, and interpersonal relationships, and he also does marriage counselling. Bob is well-known to professionals in the Saint John area as a result of his work in the area of family violence, particularly the A.D.A.P.T. program for violent men that he developed several years ago and has continued to facilitate. Bob has nearly 30 years of Counselling experience through his involvement at various non- profit and counselling agencies and government departments.

Andrea Ospina - BSW, RSW

Andrea came to Gentle Path from her home country of Colombia, in South America. She completed her Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2000 there, with her thesis in the area of youth addictions. While there, Andrea also facilitated groups, and provided individual and family counselling in a Youth Addictions Residential Centre. Also in Colombia, Andrea worked as a Case Manager in the area of child abuse. She has designed and facilitated support groups for teens and young adult women. The emphasis of these groups was to improve life skills necessary for increasing self-esteem and becoming parents. Prior to leaving Colombia, she worked for an oil company as a Human Resource Personnel.

Andrea moved to Canada in 2002 and is happily learning about our culture and social system. She is enjoying her experiences, not only in Canada, but also in working with clients at Gentle Path. Since she has been with us, Andrea has counselled regularly, and facilitated and co-facilitated support groups and educational programs. Andrea is a registered member of both the Canadian and New Brunswick Associations of Social Workers and has been employed part--time at Gentle Path since June 2005.

Harold C. Stevens - RSW, CHT

Harold has been involved in the Counselling field for the past 23 years. He is a registered Social Worker and has worked in the capacity of Adult Educator during the past 15 years. He is a Hypnotherapist, has a Certificate in Adult Education, and Harold is also a certified trainer in ASIST, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.

Harold has participated in and co-presented numerous programs and workshops in the area of self-improvement both at the local and national level. He is a member of the provincial Critical Incident Stress Management team. Along with counselling at Gentle Path and presenting programs on the above noted topics, Harold also develops workplace - specific workshops such as Building a Respectful Workplace, Relaxation, Stress Management, Bullying, and recognizing the Troubled Employee.

Angaila Smith - BA CQSW (Oxford), MSW, RSW

Angaila Smith joined Gentle Path Counselling Services in January 2007 as a Generalist Counsellor working with individuals, couples and families. She has had a wealth of work experience and training from time in England, Newfoundland and in Saint John.

Angaila's education includes a Bachelor of Arts, University Diploma in Applied Social Studies, Certificate in Qualification of Social Work (CQSW) from Ruskin College, Oxford University, England; Oxford College of Further Education, Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language; Master of Social Work from Memorial University; and Intensive Training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT); Stage Two DBT Exposure Training. Angaila has been a Medical Social Worker at Oxford County Council, England; Contractual Social Worker, Justice Department, Supreme Court of Newfoundland; and Clinical Social Worker at Horizon Health Care in Saint John.

Christine Brittain - BA, BSW, MSW, RSW

Christine Brittain is a part-time counsellor with Gentle Path. Her counselling focus is primarily with children and families. Christine graduated in 2002 with her Masters of Social Work from the Maritime School of Social Work - Dalhousie University. Her Masters specialization was in Child and Family welfare and family violence. Christine focuses on a collaborative, strength based, solution focused practice.

Christine works full-time as a Child Protection Supervisor with the Department of Social Development. Christine was the 2005 recipient of the Dr. David Stephen Foundation Award of Distinction, an award which recognizes an individual's contribution to the elimination of Child Abuse.

Christine is a Board Member of the Community Camps Association (providing summer camping experiences for low-income, single parent families); and Living Waters Child Development Center.

Justin Stoodley - BA, MA (PACCC)

Justin is a part-time counselor at Gentle Path and works with adolescent males, children, and their families. He has been working for Gentle Path since September 2006. During this time, he has co-developed two anger management programs for kids, which he also co-facilitates.

Justin has a Masters in Family Counseling for Briercrest Graduate School in Saskatchewan and he is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Christian Counselors (PACCC). Justin has worked for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Saint John as a Caseworker; and he currently works full time for School District 6.

Andrea Stoodley - BA, MA (PACCC) - Marriage & Family Counselling

Andrea Stoodley started working for Gentle Path in September 2006 and works as a Generalist Counsellor, as well as a group facilitator. Andrea received a Bachelor of Arts (in Family Ministry) from Briercrest Bible College, as well as a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counselling from Briercrest Seminary. Andrea is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Christian Counsellors (PACCC).

Andrea works with women, children, and families. Besides working at Gentle Path Counselling Services, Andrea volunteers through Kennebecasis Baptist Church, facilitating the Alpha Marriage Course with her husband, Justin Stoodley.

Cathy Boudreau- BA, BSW, RSW

Cathy Boudreau, BA, BSW,RSW works part time with Gentle Path Counselling Services in the Saint John office as a generalist counsellor. Cathy received her Bachelor of Arts from King's College Halifax in 1981 and a Bachelor of Social Work from St. Thomas University in 1994.

Apart from her work with Gentle Path, Cathy has worked as a Social Worker for Ridgewood Addition Services and St. Joseph's Hospital. She is currently a Manager at St. Joseph's Community Health Centre in addition to her position there as a Social Worker. Cathy is also actively involved with a variety of organizations on a volunteer basis in the Saint John area.

Rob Mather, BA, BEd MEd (Candidate)

Rob started working at Gentle Path as a part time counsellor in July 2009, where his focus has been on working with both male and female youth and their families. Previously, Rob was a school teacher and has taught at various levels in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and South Korea. Currently, Rob is working on his Master's thesis in Education focusing on the area of youth considered "at-risk".

Besides working at Gentle Path, Rob also works as a student researcher with both the National Research Centre (NRC) in Fredericton and the Faculty of Education at UNB (Fredericton).

Margaret Totten - BA, MA Counselling Psych., CPCC

Margaret is a counsellor and educational/support group facilitator with Gentle Path. She is also presently assisting Gentle Path on contract with marketing, business development and fundraising initiatives.

In addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Thomas University and Master Degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in Fredericton, NB, Margaret is also a Certified Professional Co-active Coach (CPCC) through the Coaches Training Institute and a member of the International Coach Federation. She is a nationally certified provider of the Strong Interest Inventory (Career) Assessment tool, and is experienced in life and career transition counselling.

Margaret has considerable marketing and public relations experience, and holds a Certificate in Local Government Administration from Henson College (Dal.), as well as a Certificate in Management Development from UNB and a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations Management from Royal Roads University in Victoria, B.C.

John T Tracey - CD, MA, MPS, BTh, BA

John Tracey served in the Canadian Forces for 21 years. He was stationed at several bases across Canada and served as well with the United Nation Forces in Israel's Golan Heights.

During those years, he offered counselling to military members and their spouses. He is qualified, by the military, as a team leader for Critical Incidence Stress Debriefing. At Canadian Forces Base Halifax, he helped establish the Critical Incident Stress Response Team and the Suicide Prevention Team. While stationed at 12 Wing Shearwater, Captain Tracey assisted in CFB Shearwater's response to the crash of Swiss Air Flight 911 ( September 2, 1998) and to Shearwater's response to the events of 911(September, 11 2001). He was awarded the 12 Wing Shearwater, Wing Commander's Commendation and the Canadian Forces Decoration, (CD). Before joining the military he was employed by the New Brunswick Hospital Association as a consultant with regard to "The Organization of Pastoral Care in the Health Care Centres of New Brunswick". He has an undergraduate degree in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame (USA) and an undergraduate degree in Theology from the University of Montreal (QC). He has a Masters Degree in Individual Counselling from St Paul University (Ottawa) and a Masters Degree in Marriage Counselling from the University of Ottawa.

Sarah Fletcher - BSW, MSW, RSW

Sarah began working at Gentle Path as a part time counsellor in November 2011. She received her Masters of Social Work from Dalhousie University in 2011. Sarah has worked at various non-profit counselling agencies throughout the Maritimes since 2007. She provides couples' counselling and individual counselling on issues such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, healing from abuse and stress management. She works from a solution-focused, strengths based approach.

Carla Daniels - B.A., M.A., Counselling Psychology, CCC

Carla obtained her Bachelor of Arts with an honours degree in Psychology from the University of New Brunswick, Saint John, in 2007. While there, she completed a thesis looking at the interrelationships among religiosity, spirituality, and attachment and their unique role in contributing to well-being. Subsequently, Carla developed and coordinated a Women's Wellness Group for young women ages 16-24 with a desire for personal exploration and growth in the areas of self-esteem, relationships, and spirituality. In 2010, Carla graduated from McGill University with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. In 2011, she worked at the Saint John Regional Hospital in the Pediatric Department assisting in developmental and psycho-educational assessment of children and adolescents. During that time, she also developed and shared a number of resources for patients and families on issues ranging from Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, and parenting strategies.

Carla began working at Gentle Path part-time in 2012. She holds a Canadian Certified Counsellor designation from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Carla provides individual counselling for stress and anxiety, depression, loss and grief, anger management, body image and self-esteem, interpersonal and family relationships, career issues, and spirituality. Carla has recently obtained her first and second level of Usui Reiki and enjoys learning about Eastern and other alternative healing practices.

Sania Griffiths-Dookie, BSW, M.A., Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care

Sania Griffiths-Dookie hails from Jamaica where she completed her Bachelor of Social Work at Northern Caribbean University (2009); she has had the opportunity to work with vulnerable youth population and facilitate and well as co-facilitate life-skills groups, she helped in the compilation of the Life-skills book for Jamaica. Sania went onto complete her MA Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy at Wilfred Laurier University in Ontario, she was clinically trained and supervised to work with individuals, couples, and families in psychotherapeutic counselling. She works with individuals with stress and anxiety, depression, experiences of loss and grief, anger management issues, self-esteem, interpersonal and family relationships, and spirituality.

Sania is an eclectic psychotherapist with special interest in cognitive behavioural therapy, solution focus therapy, strength base therapy and narrative therapy. As a part of her MA program she completed a thesis examining the effects of parental addiction on teens. Sania has worked with Canada Youth Challenge as counsellor with youth and adults in Alberta, Montreal, Ontario, and the Maritime Provinces.

Gentle Path Associates

Paul Leger (MSW, RSW Mediator, BA, MEd, CCC)

Paul J. Leger, a bilingual native of Saint John, has a BA from St. FX in Antigonish Nova Scotia, a Degree in Theology from Holy Heart Theological Institution, and Masters Degree in Social Work from Dalhousie University.

Paul's Career in the mental health field began in Chatham, New Brunswick where he served for a term at the Chatham Mental Health Clinic before moving to Fredericton in 1972. He there became the founding father of Family Enrichment and Counselling Services, a non-profit family counselling service with branches in Fredericton, Moncton and Bathurst, New Brunswick., and lectured in the field of Social Development at Saint Thomas University. In 1978, he entered the Canadian Armed Forces where he was instrumental in founding the Addiction Treatment Center at CFB Val Cartier in Quebec.

Upon his return to Fredericton in 1985, he opened the practice of Paul J. Leger & Associates., with offices in Saint John and Fredericton, specializing in Marriage, Family and Individual Counselling. Other areas of expertise include counselling for victims of sexual abuse, trauma counselling, stress management and he is certified in Mediation. As well, since 1985, Paul has been a part time Clinician with the Fredericton Mental Health Center Team.

Karen Simon, (BSc, RD) Registered Dietician

Karen Simon is a graduate of Acadia University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. She then completed her dietetic internship at the Moncton Hospital. She has been working in private practice since 1990. Karen can provide nutrition counselling in areas of nutrition, such as: wellness, weight loss, diabetes cholesterol management, healthy eating, and menu planning. Karen can provide counselling to both children and adults.

Lorraine Pollock (BT, MEd, PHEc. CCC)

Lorraine has recently become a part-time counsellor at Gentle Path with her office in Sussex. She has been counselling for seven years after a career in Education, as a Teacher, Guidance Counsellor and Vice Principal. Being a professional Home Economist is an asset as Lorraine has been able to assist families and individuals in the areas of parenting, marriage, relationship, finances and communication.

In the Sussex area, Lorraine facilitates various groups experiencing grief, anxiety, and low self-esteem. She has experience providing Stress Management Seminars for the workplace. ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is a suicide intervention program for which Lorraine is a Master Trainer. As an ASIST Trainer she travels throughout New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island presenting the workshop which qualifies people as interventionists of suicide in their communities.